An interventional study of FAPI PET/CT in Liver Metastases From Colorectal Cancer, sponsored by Jules Bordet Institute. Recruiting at 1 site in Belgium. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-08-07.
Sponsored by Jules Bordet Institute · Not applicable, Interventional, and Diagnostic
FAPI PET/CT molecular imaging represents a cutting-edge advancement in oncological imaging, particularly for the preoperative assessment of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Fibroblast activation protein inhibitors (FAPIs), which are the focus of this imaging modality, selectively target cancer-associated fibroblasts, a critical component of the tumor microenvironment. FAPI PET/CT could be useful in the detection of HGP (Histological Growth Pattern) and in the changes during neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to surgery
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in tumor development and therapeutic response. The understanding of the TME components, especially cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) remains limited. CAFs are among the most abundant and versatile components of the tumor stroma and they are implicated in all the hallmarks of cancer. They have a heterogenous phenotype within a single cell. Some CAFs may have immunosuppressive properties. In liver, there are two obvious physiological sources of CAFs: resident portal fibroblasts (PFs) and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) . A recent study showed that based on the gene expression profile there are three major subsets of CAFs in colorectal primary tumors and in liver metastasis, including secretory CAFs, ECM-remodeling CAFs and contractile CAFs . In patients undergoing resection of colorectal liver metastasis (CRLMs) the histological growth patterns (HGP) reflect tumor biology and local infiltrating behavior . The HGPs of liver metastases reflect the ways in which cancer cells interact with the surrounding liver. The transition from one HGP to another could occur in patients with CRLM following systemic treatment .
FAPI PET/CT molecular imaging represents a cutting-edge advancement in oncological imaging, particularly for the preoperative assessment of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Fibroblast activation protein inhibitors (FAPIs), which are the focus of this imaging modality, selectively target cancer-associated fibroblasts, a critical component of the tumor microenvironment. FAPI PET/CT could be useful in the detection of HGP and in the changes during neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to surgery
Jules Bordet Institute is the lead sponsor of 103 studies on the registry; 28 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Exclusion Criteria:
Diagnostic Test: FAPI PET/CT
Patient will undergo FAPI PET/CT Prior to surgery
The quantification of IHC staining for FAP-expressing CAFs measured in patient-derived tissue specimens
Time frame: from the enrollement to the surgery date, approximately 3 to 4 weeks
The quantification of FAP expression on FAPI PET/CT (SUVmax, SUVmean, MTV [metabolically active tumor volume], FAPI-TV [FAPI positive tumour load])
Time frame: From enrollment to surgery date, approximately 3 to 4 weeks
correlation between the value of FAPI PET/CT and the percent encapsulated, and the HGP scores (desmoplastic, replacement, pushing) of the liver metastasis
Time frame: from the enrollment to the anapathological analysis date,approximately 4 to 5 weeks
Correlation between FAPI PET/CT and FDG PET/CT parameters: (SUV max, SUVmean, metabolical volume)
Time frame: from enrollment to the surgery date, approximately 3 to 4 weeks
Correlation between FAPI metabolical volume and MRI tumor volume
Time frame: from enrollment to the surgery date, approximately 3 to 4 weeks
Plan to share: Undecided
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Eligibility is decided by the study team. Share this record with your doctor or contact the team directly.
Contact study teamGet an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
Jules Bordet Institute